INFLUENCE OF ORGANIC AND MINERAL FERTILIZERS ON SOIL FERTILITY AND YIELD OF AGRICULTURAL CROPS

Abstract

The article examines the impact of organic and mineral fertilizers on soil fertility and crop yield. One of the key problems of modern agriculture is maintaining soil fertility while simultaneously ensuring high productivity of crop production. Organic and mineral fertilizers play an important role in this process, but their effects differ depending on the composition, application conditions and soil type. The study compared the effect of organic, mineral and combined fertilizers on the content of the main nutrients in the soil (organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and yield. The results showed that organic fertilizers significantly improve the content of organic matter and potassium in the soil, which positively affects its structure and long-term fertility. Mineral fertilizers, on the other hand, provide a rapid increase in nitrogen and phosphorus levels, which are important for rapid plant growth. The combined use of organic and mineral fertilizers showed the most balanced effect, combining the advantages of both types of fertilizers. The effect on yield was significant for all fertilizer types compared to the control (no fertilizer). The highest yield was provided by mineral fertilizers, but organic and combined fertilizers also contributed to a significant increase in yield. It is important to note that the long-term use of only mineral fertilizers without the introduction of organic components can lead to the depletion of organic matter in the soil, which will negatively affect its fertility in the future. The results of the study indicate the importance of the combined use of organic and mineral fertilizers to achieve optimal yield indicators and maintain long-term soil fertility. This approach allows not only to ensure the stable productivity of agricultural crops, but also to preserve the ecological stability of agroecosystems. This study highlights the need to develop integrated fertilization strategies that address both short- and long-term soil and crop needs. Further research could focus on analyzing the effects of different dosages and combinations of fertilizers under different climatic and soil conditions to further understand their effects on the fertility and productivity of agroecosystems.